Multiple reports that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be back sooner than later for Edmonton Oilers

This just in, multiple reports that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is progressing nicely and will soon be back in the Edmonton Oilers line-up.

From Journal contributor Jason Gregor of TSN 1260, who tweeted: “RNH to play next Thursday? Had contact today. Week of contact looks highly likely to go vs. Habs, minor chance vs.Devils on Monday.”

And Oilers insider Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now: “Oilers in a heavy compete drill in practice lots of contact and @RNH_93 fully in the fray.”

Stauffer has long been saying that Nugent-Hopkins, 20, will be back from shoulder surgery earlier than the expected November 1.

One word of warning in all this, when Taylor Hall and Ales Hemsky returned from major shoulder surgery, it took Hall at least a month and Hemsky much of the season to return to old form.

That said, Nugent-Hopkins will soon be in thick of it again. Speculation on the new Oilers line-up is rampant, of course.

Here’s what I’d like to see:

First line:

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle, David Perron.

All three are aces with the puck, so this line should spend much of its time in the offensive zone, making the other team run around in circles trying to play catch up to their magnificent cycling on the highest trapeze act.

Second line:

Taylor Hall, Jesse Joensuu, Nail Yakupov.

Hall and Yakupov did well together for a few games last last season. For both to play at their best, it will only help to be teamed up with a fellow superstar. Hall and Yakupov should be deadly together at even strength, with Joensuu there to do some hitting, screening, tipping, backchecking and board work. Both Joensuu and Yakupov are suited for a Top 6 role.

Third line:

Mark Arcobello, Ryan Smyth, Ales Hemsky.

Arcobello is no star, but he can move the puck and shoot it well. He’s a step up over Will Acton, who can be replaced on the fourth line by checker Boyd Gordon.

On the penalty kill, Nugent-Hopkins should be able to take over the minutes from Acton.

As for Smyth, he’s more likely to be able to keep up to Arcobello, than Hall, at centre. If the top two lines face off against tough competition, this line might well have some success against weaker competition.

And with Hemsky looking like Hemsky right now, the puck should often be moving in the right direction, more often into the opposition net than the Oilers net.

Fourth line:

Boyd Gordon, Mike Brown, Luke Gazdic.

Gordon will head up this unit more ably than Acton, and get all kinds of time on the penalty kill and in key defensive situations. Brown and Gazdic are there for a few minutes of toughness each game, with Acton coming in on the wing against more skilled teams, where Gazdic isn’t needed.

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